Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

“Lay people who possess the required qualities can be admitted permanently to the ministries of lector and acolyte. ‘When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescriptions of law.'”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 903

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers, or EMs) assist the celebrant with the distribution of Eucharist during Mass and other Eucharistic celebrations.